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Kevin Courtney, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “The reformed GCSEs taken by this cohort in English and maths, and which will be taken in almost all subjects by next year’s students, are the legacy of Michael Gove.

“Their syllabuses are less engaging and less accessible, and involve a large reduction in coursework and other non-exam assessment methods.

“In terms of accountability, the new 9-1 GCSEs bring with them damaging side-effects for schools, colleges and teachers.

“Despite the approach of ‘comparable outcomes’, which may make the national picture look broadly similar, schools and colleges will still experience volatility in their results.”

Elisabeth Gilpin, headteacher at St Mary’s Redcliffe and Temple School, said: “This has been a year of great change and challenge for everyone within state education.

“In the face of this national picture, I am incredibly grateful to our students and staff for their tireless work and dedication to achieve such fantastic results in 2017.

“The fact that students have achieved these results demonstrates that young peopel of all abilities and backgrounds can succeed.